The Environmental Protection Agency defended its “Whole Chemical Approach” when determining a chemical’s risk level after several groups challenged the review process in a federal appeals court.

The agency pointed to amendments added to the Toxic Substances Control Act in 2016, arguing Congress intended for the EPA to consider all conditions of use for a chemical when categorizing its risk, according to a brief filed in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Industry and union groups are advocating for a case-by-case review process “leading to less protective risk management requirements, and depriving the public of …